How did a 400-tonne boulder end up in Dorset?

Hidden away on Godlingston Heath, just a mile from Studland village, sits one of Dorset’s most intriguing landmarks - Agglestone Rock.

This massive 400-tonne sandstone boulder looks completely out of place, as if it was dropped there by some unseen force. And according to local legend, that’s exactly what happened.

The story goes that the devil himself hurled the rock from the Isle of Wight, aiming to destroy Corfe Castle, but he missed, and it landed here instead. 

Whether you believe the myth or not, there’s no denying Agglestone Rock has an almost otherworldly presence. Geologists, of course, have a slightly less dramatic explanation - it’s a relic from the Tertiary period, shaped by centuries of erosion.

Reaching the rock is an adventure in itself. A well-marked trail from Wadmore Lane car park takes you across beautiful heathland, with stunning views over Studland Bay. 

It’s an easy walk, though if you fancy a climb, some people do scramble up the rock - just be careful, as it’s not exactly a smooth ascent!

Agglestone Rock is one of those places that sticks in your memory. It’s a little piece of Dorset’s magic.

Picture credit: Agglestone Rock